The publisher, which is part of book giant Random House, issued a brief statement on Friday, saying "After careful consideration, Ballantine Books has made the difficult decision to cancel the publication of Paula Deen’s New testament: 250 Favorite Recipes, All Lightened Up."

The new book was supposed to be the first in a five-book deal that has now been called off, according to NPR. Deen's literary agent, Janis Donnaud, told NPR that she is "confident that these books will be published and that we will have a new publisher," but declined to say whether any other publishers had expressed interest.